Rotterdam to Cologne

Rotterdam to Cologne

Day 1: Arrival in Rotterdam
Day 2: Rotterdam – Dordrecht, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Dordrecht – Gorinchem, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 4: Gorinchem – Wijk bij Duurstede by bike, 31 mi. (50 km) | Wijk bij Duurstede - Rhenen by boat
Day 5: Rhenen – Arnhem by bike, 19 mi. (30 km) | Arnhem - Emmerich by boat
Day 6: Emmerich – Xanten by bike,  31 mi. (50 km) | Xanten -Düsseldorf by boat
Day 7: Düsseldorf – Cologne, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Cologne

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Arrival in Rotterdam
Embarkation in Rotterdam is from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Enjoy your first evening on board or have a stroll through the city of Rotterdam with Europe’s largest port.

Day 2: Rotterdam – Dordrecht, 25 mi. (40 km)
Cycle first along the Maas River until you reach the Kinderdijk, boasting the best-known windmills in the Netherlands. The 19 windmills, which date back to the 18th century, are beautifully preserved and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue the cycle tour and after a short while, you reach today’s destination- Dordrecht. The oldest city in the Holland area lies on an island bordered by large rivers and is characterized by numerous historic buildings, city ports, and a fantastic atmosphere.

Day 3: Dordrecht – Gorinchem, 19 mi. (30 km)
For today’s cycle trip, you will leave the lively cities behind and dive into the quietness of nature: pass through the national park of De Biesbosch, an adventurous labyrinth composed of rivers with crystal clear water and small islands. It is one of the few tidal freshwater zones in the world.

Day 4: Gorinchem – Wijk bij Duurstede by bike, 31 mi. (50 km) | Wijk bij Duurstede - Rhenen by boat
Leave the fortified city of Gorinchem and enjoy a bike ride through unspoiled nature. Follow the River Linge, a tributary of the Rhine, and by reaching today’s destination Wijk bij Duurstede you arrive at the edge of the „Utrechtse Heuvelrug“(eng.: Utrecht Hill Ridge), a tree-covered ridge of low sands created during the last glacial period. In the evening, the boat will navigate to Rhenen.

Day 5: Rhenen – Arnhem by bike, 19 mi. (30 km) | Arnhem - Emmerich by boat
Today you will cycle along the Lower Rhine past the foreshore of the dike and reach Arnheim. A detour to the city center becomes a trip to bygone times with narrow lanes and picturesque buildings.

Day 6: Emmerich – Xanten by bike,  31 mi. (50 km) | Xanten -Düsseldorf by boat
From Emmerich, you cycle past the nature reserve of the Reeser Schanz to the Roman city of Xanten. The Archaeological Park is always worth a visit. Explore how the Romans lived and settled 2000 years ago.

Day 7: Düsseldorf – Cologne, 34 mi. (55 km)
Your last cycle tour will lead along the well-developed adventure trail "Rheinschiene“, a particularly attractive section where historic Old Towns and idyllic nature are interspersed with industrial heritage. The towns located directly on the Rhine, often boasting well preserved medieval town walls and towers, are well worth a detour. Eventually, you will reach the Cathedral city of Cologne where the vivid riverbank of the Rhine invites for a stay. Enjoy a cozy evening on board or have a Kölsch, the typical beer from Cologne, in one of the numerous pubs.

Day 8: Saturday, Cologne
Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:00 am.

Cologne to Rotterdam

Day 1: Arrival in Cologne, embarkation between 3 and 5 pm
Day 2: Cologne - Düsseldorf, Cycle Tour, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 3: Düsseldorf - Xanten by boat/Xanten - Emmerich by bike, 19 mi. (30 km), Emmerich - Arnhem by boat
Day 4: Arnhem - Rhenen, 19 mi. (30 km); Rhenen - Wijk bij Duurstede by boat
Day 5: Wijk bij Duurstede - Gorinchem, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Gorinchem - Dordrecht, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Dordrecht - Rotterdam, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Disembarkation by 9 am

Please note as well that this ship is not recommended for persons with reduced mobility.

Want to see more? View all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.

• Olympia

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  Velo de Ville bikes (unisex frames) or similar … • Aluminum frame … • Upright handlebar … • Selle Royal saddle … • Shimano gearing … • 7 speeds … • Flat pedal … • Shimano coaster brakes (backpedal… Read More

  Electric Bicycle

  Velo de Ville bikes (unisex frames) or similar … • Upright handlebar … • Selle Royal saddle … • Flat pedal … • 8 speeds … • Bosch mid-drive motors … • 500 Wh Bosch detachable rechargeable batteries … Read More

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